UPDATE 2/5/05 I just received my advance copy of the book yesterday. It looks great. Remember to reserve March 12, 11:00, on your calendar for the book launching at the VAllejo Naval & Historical Museum, 734 Marin St., downtown Vallejo.

Mel has just authored "Filipinos in Vallejo" to be published by Arcadia Publishing. The book contains over 200 images of Filipinos in Vallejo. The book looks at how the Filipino community in Vallejo developed and grew from the end of the Spanish American War to today. The book will be ready during the week of February 28. If you would like to  be invited to the Book Launching Party in January, please sign-up by clicking the link below.

Book Launch

Photos from  "Filipinos in Vallejo

Queen Scarlett Bazaar seated on top and her court waiting their turn during Vallejo’s Fourth of July Parade, c. 1966. (Courtesy of the Galiste Family)

After decades of having non-Filipino politicians crown the Queens, Vallejo finally has its first Filipino politician, Larry Asera. This is the Coronation of Queen Nancy Luzano at a pageant at St. Vincent’s Memorial Center in 1975. Assisting from left to right, Teresa Corpus, Glen Agasa, Fernando Amado, and City Councilman Larry Asera. (Courtesy of the Vallejo Naval and Historical Museum)

Modesto Orpilla holding his son Ricky. Standing next to him are Mary Hullana and unidentified. The two children in the front are Virginia and Cristen Orpilla, c. 1948. (Courtesy of Nazario Orpilla)

Filipinos LOVE to party and have a good time. Music, food, entertainment are often found hand in hand. Filipinos brought cultural festivals and traditions from the islands to Vallejo.  Queen contests are celebrated in small towns throughout the Philippines and are a way to fundraise for various community or municipal projects.  Winners are chosen not for their beauty or talent, but for raising the most money through ticket sales.  These contests continue until today. The children were taught Filipino dances to carry on and share their culture in their new home. These are some Filipino dancers at the Solano County Fairgrounds in March 12, 1966. Pictured from left, Nancy Maraña, Corazon DeCardo, Dorothy Galiste, Emily Ancheta, Mary Ann Parahinog, and Sotera Flores. (Courtesy of the Galiste Family)

Second-generation Filipino American youth formed basketball teams for recreation in towns up and down California.  In this photo, the Vallejo Val Phi Basketball team receives a trophy from Don Gleason of the Vallejo Times Herald.  Pictured from left to right are (front row): Bud Ganalon, Frank Delgado, John Reyes, Hank Dacuyan,  unidentified, unidentified; (back row) George Oriate, Ted Sarmiento, Don Delacerna, Eddie Chavez, Norma Difuntorum, Krispin Selim, Don Gleason, unidentified, unidentified, and Paul Espejo, c.1955. (Courtesy of FANHS Vallejo Chapter)

Sonny Hatsme is shown training kids at the Carquinez Heights housing project. He trained hundreds of young boxers in Vallejo starting in 1941. Sonny later coached boxers at the Police Activities League. He had an illustrious career as a boxer then later in life as a champion horseshoe pitcher, c.1950 (Courtesy of the Vallejo Naval & Historical Museum)

Daniel Tiburcio with his dog at Chabot Acres Housing Project in 1943.  (Courtesy of Daniel Tiburcio)

Lorenzo Calica posing with his beloved saxophone. Lorenzo played his sax until he was 91 years old. He played in many bands, including the much-heralded Manila Serenaders, and traveled throughout the United States. He also played in the U.S. Army’s Filipino Infantry Band, c. 1939. (Courtesy of Emily Calica)

Two unidentified Filipino sailors posing in front of the Mabuhay Restaurant located on Sonoma Boulevard near Lemon Street in 1949. The sign lists various Filipino delicacies being served: pancit, lumpia, dinuguan or “chocolate meat”, sinigang and pritada. (Courtesy of Julie Dizon)